Composite lacrimal insert and related methods
Inventors
Sim, Sylvie • Jain, Rachna • Farinas, Kathleen
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9764066-B2
Publication Date
2017-09-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
Lacrimal implants, methods of making lacrimal implants, and methods of treating ocular, respiration or other diseases or disorders using lacrimal implants are disclosed.
Core Innovation
The disclosed lacrimal implant enables delivering a therapeutic agent to an eye by placing a lacrimal implant into a lacrimal canaliculus of a patient. The implant includes a unitary implant body formed from a substantially non-swelling polymer including one or more of a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane copolymer, or silicone. The implant body defines a single longitudinal axis and includes first and second portions having different diameters.
The first portion extends from a proximal end of the implant body and has a first diameter, with a cavity extending inward from the proximal end. The cavity includes a first supply of a therapeutic agent for release to the eye. The second portion extends from a distal end of the first portion and has a second diameter less than the first diameter.
An expandable retention member fully envelops the second portion of the implant body and is configured to swell via absorption of an aqueous medium after insertion into the lacrimal canaliculus. The swelling of the expandable retention member retains the implant body within the lacrimal canaliculus. In manufacturing, a unitary implant body with the first and second portions is formed from the substantially non-swelling polymer, an expandable retention member is formed from a polymer configured to swell after insertion, and the drug supply including a therapeutic agent and a matrix is formed for placement in the cavity.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims. Each independent claim centers on a unitary lacrimal implant body formed from a substantially non-swelling polymer, a cavity-based drug supply, and an expandable retention member that swells after insertion to retain the implant.
A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to an eye
Placing a lacrimal implant into a lacrimal canaliculus where the implant comprises a unitary implant body formed from a substantially non-swelling polymer including one or more of polyurethane polymer, polyurethane copolymer, or silicone, the unitary body defining first and second portions with a proximal cavity holding a first supply of therapeutic agent, and an expandable retention member fully enveloping the second portion that swells via absorption of an aqueous medium after insertion to retain the implant within the lacrimal canaliculus.
A method of manufacturing a lacrimal implant
Forming a unitary implant body having first and second portions defining a single longitudinal axis from a substantially non-swelling polymer including one or more of a polyurethane polymer, polyurethane copolymer, or silicone, forming an expandable retention member from a polymer configured to swell via absorption of an aqueous medium after insertion into the lacrimal canaliculus, coupling the unitary implant body and the expandable retention member so the expandable retention member fully envelops the second portion, and forming a drug supply comprising a therapeutic agent and a matrix for placement in the cavity of the first portion.
Across both independent claims, the core coverage is the same architecture-based approach: a unitary implant body made from a substantially non-swelling polymer with a cavity for therapeutic agent, combined with an expandable retention member that swells after insertion to retain the implant in the lacrimal canaliculus.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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